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The seizure of 33 unhealthy and neglected dogs from a home in southeast Calgary has sparked debate about pet limits within the city.

The dogs removed from the Acadia home on Tuesday afternoon were determined to be in poor medical condition and “neglect was very clear in this situation,” said Tammy Mazubert, department head of animal health at the Calgary Humane Society.

Brad Nichols, manager of animal cruelty investigations, said this case — and others recently investigated by his officers — highlights the need for limits on animals allowed within the city.

“It’s very common in other municipalities. It would help us do our jobs if there was a limit with potentially a special application process for additional animals,” he said, citing a hobby kennel licence as an example.

In Toronto, citizens — with the exception of those running rescue groups — can have no more than three dogs and six cats in one household.

But Brittany Palmer, who sits on the board of directors for Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, said setting a limit is not the solution because people who make an application as a breeder can still acquire “a ridiculous number of dogs in the city.”

Palmer believes the high demand for puppies and purebred dogs is to blame for puppy mills, backyard breeders, and reputable breeders that end up with too many untended dogs.

She owns seven dogs, and is fostering six puppies, but said she and her husband will only take on animals they can give the best possible care.

Currently, there are no bylaws setting limits on how many pets are allowed per household, said Alvin Murray, operations manager for the city’s animal and bylaw services.

“All bylaws are generated through the will of council and at this point in time, that has not been an issue,” he said.

“We have the responsible pet ownership bylaw, which makes sure your dog does not cause any sort of harm, disturbance or ill effect to another citizen. But it does not dictate how many pets an owner can have.”

Courts can impose a limit or ban on a particular pet owner as a penalty for an animal-related offence, he said.

Breeding operations have to follow regulations through the city’s business licensing department.

The discovery of the 33 dogs occurred Tuesday after a man delivering a notice to a home in the 8500 block of Addison Drive S.E. expressed concerns to neighbour and dog groomer Jo-Anne Leussink about the welfare of the dogs and a strong smell.

Leussink went into the home and discovered a messy scene of feces, urine, ripped furniture, and numerous dogs in distress, and called 911.

Nichols said the dogs were in poor medical condition, and “most, if not all, require extensive veterinary care”.

“It appears some were kennelled and some were free running,” he said. “There was an excess buildup of feces and urine. We had to wear special breathing apparatuses (before entering the home).”

The owner was not home at the time. The house has been deemed unfit for human habitation.

The animals were taken to the humane society and have had their vaccines and health checks. They are doing “fairly well, considering the circumstances,” Nichols said.

Peace officers are still trying to determine whether the dogs were kept as pets, breeding dogs, show dogs or rescues.

Distress charges under the Animal Protection Act are pending and investigators have been in contact with the owner. Nichols would not comment on whether officers had past dealings with the owner or the house in the past.

The owner, identified by Leussink as Bev Creed, did not respond to interview requests from the Herald. But Creed told CTV News that the dogs had clean beds and good food, and this had been “a long hard winter with a lot of difficult circumstances,” including caring for her elderly mother who has dementia.

A number of supporters also took to social media to defend her, calling her a caring dog lover who is having a rough time and may have gotten “overwhelmed.”

According to a breeding website, Creed describes herself as a “true dog lover” who has bred over 20 champions. She is also part of the dog-show circuit and is listed in numerous dog club and dog show sites.

cho@calgaryherald.com

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